On Friday, HHS launched a new Web-based tool that allows small-business owners to compare locally available health plan benefits and their costs, Modern Healthcare reports.
The tool — which businesses can access through the HealthCare.gov website created under the federal health reform law — provides information from more than 530 insurers about more than 2,700 plans (Lee, Modern Healthcare, 11/18). Using their ZIP codes, business owners can obtain data, such as:
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Officials from the National Federation of Independent Business — which opposes the health reform law and is involved in a lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the overhaul — praised the new website provision.
Amanda Austin, the group’s director of federal public policy, said such tools that employ consumer-driven approaches will be helpful for small-business owners (Bristol, CQ HealthBeat, 11/18).
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the site “will help business owners navigate what has traditionally been a complicated and confusing decision,” adding, “Both owners and their employees can feel more confident that the plans offered will be the best to suit everyone’s needs” (Modern Healthcare, 11/18).
According to HHS, small businesses spend as much as 18% more than larger companies for the same amount of health benefits (CQ HealthBeat, 11/18).
Source: iHealthBeat
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